New CR football coach Breitzman in it for the long haul

New College of the Redwoods head football coach Taylor Breitzman is young and energetic. Serving as defensive coordinator last season, Breitzman's promotion allows the Corsairs to make the transition much easier.

Promoted to the time-being head football coach at College of the Redwoods after former boss Chris Vicory took the offensive line coach gig at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps University in Southern California, Breitzman became the permanent head honcho on June 9.

He is in his second stint as head coach of the Prague Black Panthers in the Austrian Football League in the Czech Republic.

Despite his busy European summer, Breitzman took time for a question-answer period (via e-mail).

Q: What were your initial thoughts on the news coach (Chris) Vicory was leaving?

A: "I thought it was a great opportunity and I was happy for him. He is a good coach and will do a good job at Claremont Scripps."

Q: When approached with the head coaching job, was it an easy or difficult decision to accept? Why was it easy/difficult?

A: "It was an easy decision. I knew I wanted to be a head coach. I felt I was ready and the timing was right. It was an opportunity that I did not want to miss."

Q: Continuity is difficult to have at the JC level with the short time period you coaches have with players (2 years). Does your hiring as head coach help Redwoods gain some continuity because you were an assistant last season?

A: "I think so. I think consistency is a key factor. One of our biggest challenges last season was guys not knowing to practice at a collegiate level. With our same practice philosophy staying in place, it will be easier for the returners to jump right in and be good examples to the new players."

Q: In term of longevity, do you see yourself as a head coach for the long term? Redwood has gone through head coaching turnover from (Tino) Romero to Vicory and yourself. Fans wonder if you will be a short term coach.

A: "That's not my plan to be a short term coach. I plan to be here and build a program that the community can be proud off."

Q: What will be the most difficult part of the transition to head coach? Easiest?

A: "I think the most difficult part to transition to an head coach is the balancing of the extra responsibilities that come with this job. I think the easiest part is that most all the staff is back this season and the transition into camp will be smooth."

Q: Coach Vicory ran a high-octane offense. People in Humboldt County want to know if the offense will remain the same or will you implement changes?

A: "Last year's offense was able to do a lot of good things. With a new offensive coordinator coming in this season, there will be some changes, but we want to remain efficient and build on last season's success."

Q: Being involved with the Central Washington program — which has a solid winning tradition — how much of that will you bring to Redwoods?

A: "I think a lot of that culture we have there is something that I take everywhere with me. We were able to have a lot of success and I was influenced a lot by it."

Q: Recruiting is always key. Do you think it will be difficult or easy to get players to come as a 1st year head coach?

A: "It's never easy. Recruiting takes a lot of work, but I think student athletes will be excited to play for this program. We are a young staff with tons of energy and enthusiasm who are dedicated to their off and on the field success."

Q: As far as coaching staff, how far along are you on assistants and what is your selling points to them to come help you at Redwoods?

A: "We have a majority of our staff coming back this year, which is great. We are still searching to find a couple key spots. But guys want to come coach at Redwoods. It's not a difficult sell. It is a good program that sits in a beautiful place. It's going to come down to finding the right guys who best fit what we are trying to do here."

Q: What is Redwoods getting in you now that your head coach?

A: "They are getting a high energy competitive coach who is dedicated to the success of these student athletes on and off the field. I am very proud to be this schools head coach and I want this school and community to be proud of their football team."

Q: And finally, what is the biggest challenge you face and how do you plan on conquering it?

A: "I think the biggest challenge is when you look at our committed list, you see a lot of players from a lot of different backgrounds and from all over the country. The challenge is getting them on campus and making them buy into our program as fast as possible."